However, footfall in retail parks and shopping centres fell by 0.7 per cent and 1.9 per cent respectively.

Diane Wehrle, marketing and insights director at Springboard, said the figures showed that the "supposition of the death of the high street has been greatly exaggerated".

"The shift in consumer demand from focusing on the purchase of physical goods to encompass experiences has clearly benefited the high street as its offer has been able to transition quickly via an improved food and beverage offer, which has helped to bring in much-needed footfall," she said.